Matthew Speese, shot several times by officers, pointed a long gun at police before gunfire erupted

HOWARD CITY -- Moments before a Howard City area man was shot to death by police Wednesday night, officers say Matthew Speese walked down his driveway armed with a long gun, which he pointed at officers, prompting them to shoot him.

Two officers fired multiple shots at Speese, 47, striking him several times, according to a statement issued Thursday night by the Michigan State Police.

The incident began about 5:38 p.m. Wednesday when officers were asked to go to Speese's home at 20585 Gates Road and check on his well-being.

Once there, officers from a few different departments were confronted by Speese, a father of two grown children. He was armed with a long gun and made comments about shooting officers who responded to the scene.

For about two hours, state police said officers tried to resolve the situation peacefully.

At 7:21 p.m., police said Speese walked out of his home and down his driveway, carrying the gun.

Officers from Howard City Police and the Montcalm County Sheriff's Department gave Speese verbal commands, which police said he ignored.

"He pointed his weapon at officers, at which time the officers were threatened for their lives as well as other officers on the scene.

"They fired multiple shots at Speese, striking him several times," said state police, who are handling the investigation.

Speese was taken to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

None of the officers on the scene were injured. The two involved in the shooting have been put on paid administrative leave, which is standard for all officer-involved shootings.

Police said Speese spent more than eight years in the Marines, where he fought in the Gulf War.